7th Jan 2006, 01:29
I had the same issue with the Thermostat--I drove my 86 Wagovan for 150 miles with the temp in the red--it didn't as much as hiccup. It's hard to find parts for it in other places than Honda directly. I love it too much to get rid of it...it's my "precious".
15th Dec 2007, 21:26
Yeah. My car is having the same problems as most you guys. Most recently the thermostat. My car overheats if I don't feel it with water before I take a long trip. But other than that its very reliable. I remember one night I forgot to put water in it and my gauge was on red the whole trip I thought for sure I damaged my motor. The next morning she reved right up like she hadn't darn near burned up the night before. I love her. I was going to fix up her a little and sell her for a better car for my senior year, but I decided I'm going to put all my money in her. If anyone has any advice on what I can do to her, or has any questions email me at wiseboy89@yahoo.com. Greg Wise.
9th Apr 2008, 09:29
I have a 1986 Honda Civic Wagovan; a really good car. It gets 35mpg and I love that. The timing belt had 188,000 miles on it before it snapped and bent two valves. Now before I found out that it was an interference head, I replaced the timing belt and it ran like crap. I called my mechanic and he told me that it was an interference head and that I had a 1 in 1,000,000 chance that a valve didn't bend. I was surprised that the car ran with two bent valves in two different cylinders, now that's quality, but it wouldn't move under its own power.
Now I'm replacing the engine that I bought from "all engine distributing" in fresno, ca with 30,000-40,000 miles on the engine for $804 out the door. That's better than repairing the heads on an engine that has 188,000 on it, not to mention the pistons might be damaged because of the valves.
I'm hoping that this other engine is as great as the other, but it is a Honda engine and they're all the same quality if you take care of them.
10th Aug 2010, 23:59
I have a 1984 Civic Wagon with 410k miles and the head has not been off.
Problems? Valve seals need to be watched, look for oil consumption and clouds of smoke out the exhaust pipe. Also keep the cooling system in good shape.
I've replaced the brushes in the alternator twice over the years, and had no electrical problems.
There is some body rust starting to show up, and if I can swing it, there's a paint job in the future.
I just replaced the rack and pinion steering box and the left lower control arm while doing a brake job. I've been through several half shafts over the 26 years, and buy the best quality I can find.
I use synthetic oil, and have gradually upped the viscosity from 5w-30 when new, to 20w-60 to control the oil consumption.
I change the oil every 5k miles, and use Napa oil filters.
I plan on driving this car to my own funeral.
18th Dec 2010, 04:44
I have one of these cars that has been sitting in my driveway for years with 179,000 miles. It's in the snow and starting to rust.
It was fun for the month I had it registered, it wheeled through washes and up redrock better than my Chevy Tahoe!!!
Unfortunately, it smokes and I live in a state with emissions inspections, so it sits and rusts away. I do know the carb leaks, as a rubber gasket has gone bad and that covers a plunger type thing, leaking gas.
Other than that, it's sweet and I wish I could drive it again. I need to sell it, but.. never know what I will do with it.
Some clown knocked on my door one morning and offered $75. I told him 'Never!' And don't come back, as that was an insult!
20th Oct 2005, 09:32
You can't drive a civic into the ground. I have an 87 wagon, and the radiator and thermostate were both bad. I drove that little car about 15 miles with the temp gauge all the way in the red, and it started right up the next day. Awesome car, can't kill em.